The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that 436,780 households will receive higher Universal Credit payments following the removal of the two-child benefit limit. Fresh statistics published by the DWP reveal the impact of the law change, which took effect for assessment periods beginning on or after 6 April 2026.
Breakdown of affected households
According to the DWP data, out of 478,120 households that were not receiving the child element for at least one child, 436,780 households are expected to see an increase in their Universal Credit payment. However, 17,870 households already had exceptions for all affected children and will not see any increase.
Background of the two-child limit
The two-child limit policy was introduced on 6 April 2017, restricting families on Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit from claiming support for more than two children. Exceptions existed for multiple births, children born from non-consensual conception, and adopted children at risk of entering local authority care.
Impact and charity response
The Trussell Trust, a food bank charity, had previously called the two-child limit "the single biggest driver of child poverty." Helen Barnard, director of policy at Trussell, said: "Every week, food banks in the Trussell community support parents who've been doing everything they can to protect their children from hunger. Skipping meals for weeks so there's enough for the kids to eat, making games out of wrapping up in blankets to avoid turning on the heating, trying to pretend everything's okay but it's not okay." The removal of the limit is expected to alleviate financial pressure for hundreds of thousands of families.
